Earlier this month, the Southeast Steelers softball team were at the Bob Van Impe Stadium in Saskatoon, SK pitting the best in Canadian softball against one another in the Softball Canada National Championship.
After going undefeated in the round robin, the Steelers including star pitcher Jorde Chartrand from Weyburn, would find themselves in the finals against Équipe Québec. Although, this was nothing new to them. They were already back-to-back National champions and were trying to do what no other Saskatchewan team has done before; secure a three-peat.
Chartrand took the mound in the gold medal game and didn’t disappoint. She tossed a complete game shutout, striking out 13 batters on route to a 6-0 victory, securing the Steelers' third straight Nationals victory. The Steelers would complete the weekend undefeated and become the first Saskatchewan team to three-peat at the Softball Nationals. A feat that Chartrand says was all thanks to the group around her.
“You know, it was a lot of fun. I just loved the groups that I play with every year and obviously winning was even more fun than losing. But it's just a great group of people to compete with on and off the field with. I wasn't actually there for the first year that they won in Montreal, but I joined them in Red Deer the next year and I was there when we won.”
Achieving softball success at the highest level is never easy. Repeating it consistently is even harder, as Chartrand says it’s about teamwork and support to make it happen.
“So, I think it's staying consistent and something that our team does really well is just supporting each other and knowing everyone's strengths and we kind of just trust that the next person's going to get the job done. And you know, everyone has a role, and I feel like we also do our role pretty well and that stays consistent throughout the year, whether it's just a tournament or it's Nationals. So, I feel like that's something that helps us win ball games and championships every year.”
Chartrand was named top pitcher and top player in the championship round for this year's Nationals, awards she won last year as well for her efforts. Chartrand just recently graduated from playing collegiate softball at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro (UNCG) as their ace pitcher, winning UNCG’s Most Valuable Pitcher award. Chartrand comments that despite being successful and achieving accolades, the drive for more is what pushes her forward.
“Just as a player over my career, and especially in college, one thing that helps me just get better every time has never being satisfied. Kind of with where I'm at and always setting the next goal even higher and then obviously right now that goal is the National team for me. So, just using every opportunity I get to be on the field to get better. Whether it just be about one pitch or the whole game, kind of just finding something to work towards, even if I'm already succeeding.”
Chartrand has now taken her talents to Fort Myers, Florida as she is coaching the Florida Gulf Coast University’s Division 1 softball team, with as mentioned aspirations of joining Team Canada and hopefully contending in the 2028 Olympics. Chartrand says to get to that level, the best in the world, will take training, discipline, and some help along the way.
“I think just finding a way to stay involved as much as possible, so coaching is going to be a huge part of that and just being able to stay involved in the game and stay around it and keeping the mentality and everything into it. But also, just continuing training as hard as I did in college and working closely with coaches that either still coach with the national team or coached me in college and they have some plans that they're helping me with.”
Chartrand continues saying, “Just (working with) pitching plans like throwing progression, all that kind of good stuff. And then my college strength trainer is also kind of setting me up with the program as well to just kind of keep training as much as I possibly can, like I did in college and just stay in shape, and I guess see if that leads me where I need to go.”
Chartrand knows the value that good coaches can have on a player, especially now as a coach in Florida, so she recognizes the impact they’ve all had in her development.
“Just a shout out to my coaches, the Hubbard’s with the Carnduff Steelers because they are probably the best people that make everyone want to keep coming around that team and that's what I think keeps us so strong."